Strange but true:

Tablecloths were originally meant to be served as towels with which dinner guests could wipe their hands and faces after eating!

The names of Popeye's four nephews are Pipeye, Peepeye, Pupeye, and Poopeye!

Sally Pane:

Bill Ashmore, Sr's mother's family:

Row 1- "Grandma & Grandpa Hunt"

Row 2- "Uncle Jet, Bill's mother- Louise, Aunt Teresa, Aunt Alma, Aunt Delphia"

Row 3- "Uncle Willis, Uncle Sherman, Uncle Lawrence"

Allen, Gillis:

Mary Wheatly attacked by sows:

Johnnie Crawford:

SUNDAY DRIVE- ARTHUR,IL:

BUGGY PARKING
AMISH CLASSROOM
FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH

SOME THINGS JUST HAVEN'T CHANGED

MARINER'S CANNING FACTORY

AMISH FARM

UNION STATION

STILL LOOKS THE SAME AFTER ALL THESE YEARS

ARTHUR HIGH SCHOOL

Auken Farm:

So now you know:

In the heyday of sailing ships, all war ships and many freighters carried iron cannons. Those cannons fired round iron cannon balls. It was necessary to keep a good supply near the cannon. However, how to prevent them from rolling about the deck? The best storage method devised was a square-based pyramid with one ball on top, resting on four resting on nine, which rested on sixteen. Thus, a supply of 30 cannon balls could be stacked in a small area right next to the cannon. There was only one problem...how to prevent the bottom layer from sliding or rolling from under the others. The solution was a metal plate called a 'Monkey' with 16 round indentations.

However, if this plate were made of iron, the iron balls would quickly rust to it. The solution to the rusting problem was to make 'Brass Monkeys.' Few landlubbers realize that brass contracts much more and much faster than iron when chilled.


Consequently, when the temperature dropped too far, the brass indentations would shrink so much that the iron cannonballs would come right off the monkey. Thus, it was quite literally, 'Cold enough to freeze the balls off a brass monkey.' (All this time, you thought that was an improper expression, didn't you.)

July 24, 1969:

fromt the Ledger- Messenger

September 28th, 1911:

PIONEER AND EX-MAYOR CALLED TO REWARD

Phillip S. Clinard, Ex-Mayor of Oakland and a pioneer of Coles County passed away at his home in this city, Monday morning, after several months of illness from asthma. The funeral was held from the residence on Ashmore Road, Wednesday morning, Rev. W. H. Day conducting the short ceremony, after which the Odd Fellows of which the deceased was the senior member, took charge of the remains and conveyed them to the cemetery., north of town where the funeral ritual of the order was duly carried out. There were 96 of the Odd Fellows in line, a very creditable showing and a high mark of respect in their departed brother.
Phillip S. Clinard was born in Randolph County, N. C., Aug. 22, 1842, being the son of Davis and Rebecca Clinard. He died at Oakland, Illinois, Sept. 25, 1911, aged 69 years, 1 month and 3 days. He received his early education in the home schools and in 1861 he enlisted in Co. K. of the 30th Indiana Volunteer Infantry and served his country three years. At the close of the war he removed to Coles county and in 1893 he became a resident of Oakland where he resided for the rest of his days. He had filled various minor official positions, was a Republican candidate for county treasurer at one time, and served a term of Mayor of Oakland. Mr. Clinard about 40 years ago became a member of the C.P. Church He had been an Odd Fellow for almost 40 years.

SUNDAY DRIVE- WESTFIELD:

1907 High School
oil well
Westfield College Chapel- yes it had a coed college

street view

downtown

township high school

have a good weekend...

So now you know:

Early politicians required feedback from the public to determine what the people considered important. Since there were no telephones, TV's or radios, the politicians sent their assistants to local taverns, pubs, and bars. They were told to 'go sip some ale' and listen to people's conversations and political concerns. Many assistants were dispatched at different times. 'You go sip here' and 'You go sip there.' The two words 'go sip' were eventually combined when referring to the local opinion and, thus we have the term 'gossip.'

From July 24,1969 Ledger-Messenger:

Oakland High School class of 1910:

Just won this on eBay last night- can't wait to get it and post a better scan.

Ledger-Messenger 1971:

some things never change...

OM- July 24, 1969- cheerleaders:

Walnut Street is Paved:

Farmers bringing their corn to market on unpaved Main Street on the square. c- early 1900's
The brick clatter will no longer be heard on Walnut Street in Oakland. Through traffic of heavy semis and other vehicles were hard on the brick pavers. At the time the bricks were set in place, they could not have foreseen the use they would have to take through the years. It is sad to see something so common place go, but it was time. The Oakland founding fathers would have agreed. They probably would have replaced them long ago, for they served their purpose for many years. At the time, Oakland streets were full of horses and buggies, and the pavers were set in place to reduce mud, dirt and ruts. This town was founded by men and women who improved on the conditions surrounding them to make the town a better place to live in. Sooner or later all the brick streets here will be paved over. Nothing lasts forever, so take the time to enjoy the ones left now.

So now you know:

Common entertainment included playing cards. However, there was a tax levied when purchasing playing cards but only applicable to the 'Ace of Spades.' To avoid paying the tax, people would purchase 51 cards instead. Yet, since most games require 52 cards, these people were thought to be stupid or dumb because they weren't 'playing with a full deck.'

Oakland Messenger- June 4, 1970 ad:

Wish we had those prices today.

Oakland Messenger- June 4, 1970:

Nelson' Marathon Station

SUNDAY DRIVE- Tuscola:

downtown

Soldier's Memorial

Presbyterian Church above and below

Douglas Co Courthouse

Post Office

The library- above and the next two photos below

Cooper Motel matchbook

vintage postcard

old city map

USI ad

blue ribbons from the Douglas Co Fair 1930

The Story Of Taps:

Reportedly, it all began in 1862 during the Civil War, when Union Army Captain Robert Ellicombe was with his men near Harrison's Landing in Virginia . The Confederate Army was on the other side of the narrow strip of land. During the night, Captain Ellicombe heard the moans of a soldier who lay severely wounded on the field. Not knowing if it was a Union or Confederate soldier, the Captain decided to risk his life and bring the stricken man back for medical attention. Crawling on his stomach through the gunfire, the Captain reached the stricken soldier and began pulling him toward his encampment. When the Captain finally reached his own lines, he discovered it was actually a Confederate soldier, but the soldier was dead. The Captain lit a lantern and suddenly caught his breath and went numb with shock. In the dim light, he saw the face of the soldier It was his own son. The boy had been studying music in the South when the war broke out. Witho u t telling his father, the boy enlisted in the Confederate Army. The following morning, heartbroken, the father asked permission of his superiors to give his son a full military burial, despite his enemy status. His request was only partially granted. The Captain had asked if he could have a group of Army band members play a funeral dirge for his son at the funeral. The request was turned down since the soldier was a Confederate. But, out of respect for the father, they did say they could give him only one musician. The Captain chose a bugler. He asked the bugler to play a series of musical notes he had found on a piece of paper in the pocket of the dead youth's uniform. This wish was granted. The haunting melody, we now know as 'Taps' used at military funerals was born.
The words are:

Day is done. Gone the sun. From the lakes From the hills.

From the sky. All is well. Safely rest. God is nigh.

Fading light. Dims the sight. And a star. Gems the sky.

Gleaming bright. From afar. Drawing nigh.

Falls the night. Thanks and praise. For our days.

Neath the sun Neath the stars. Neath the sky As we go. This we know . God is nigh

So now you know:

Personal hygiene left much room for improvement. As a result, many women and men had developed acne scars by adulthood. The women would spread bee's wax over their facial skin to smooth out their complexions.. When they were speaking to each other, if a woman began to stare at another woman's face she was told, 'mind your own bee's wax.' Should the woman smile, the wax would crack, hence the term 'crack a smile'. In addition, when they sat too close to the fire, the wax would melt . . .. Therefore, the expression 'losing face.'

Images of Lincoln:

1861 Oil by Charles Wesley Jarvis

1858

1863

Lincoln was a friend of Hiram Rutherford and chances are that he had been to Oakland before being elected president of the United States. I am sure he at least had a meal in the Rutherford home if he didn't spend the night there sometime, we just can't prove it.

Dr Rutherford attempted to hire Lincoln for the Matson Slave Trial and got rather upset with him when he found out he had already been hired by the other side. By the time Lincoln got out of his obligations to the Matson side of the case, Hiram had already hired a another lawyer and turned down Lincoln's offer to take his case.